December Newsletter

Tree City Quilters’ Guild

The purpose of this organization shall be to create, stimulate, and maintain an interest in all matters pertaining to the making of quilts and to establish and promote educational endeavors through quilts

Meeting: December 12, 2016; 6:00 pm

Parkview Church of Christ

1912 Burbank Road

Wooster, OH 44691

PRESIDENT’S GREETING:

"Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true!" Hi, Quilting Friends!  It has been a fun year of serving you!  Thank you for allowing me to share my dreams.  I enjoyed our stash busting year of pretend travels! Isn't make believe fun - even at our age? :) Especially when it moves us to be creative and productive!  So far, 45 of you have participated in the stash busting challenges. Congratulations; you all should be proud of yourselves!  While visiting Santa's workshop, we learned that our last challenge is to make something that is any size from your Christmas stash fabric. Those who were at our meeting received a Christmas charm square treat from Sally-Santa. Whether you make one challenge item from your stash or from your charm square treat, you will receive a very cute token - a wooden Christmas stocking button.  However, if you make one or 2 items using both the charm square and your Christmas stash, you will receive 2 tokens: a wooden stocking button and a small gold bugle bead.  Have fun. You can make a Christmas ornament, a quilt, or anything you choose, and the sky is the limit! This last challenge was planned to be fun and easy! I hope you all do it!

Our November meeting was busy, but fun! First we voted for Quilter of the Year, thanks to Denise Mohler and committee for guiding us; the winner will be announced at our December meeting. Congratulations to our 2017 officers and thanks to Beverly Fash and the nominating committee for a job well done. Then we were in awe of the lovely Viewers Choice award quilts, and thanks to Mary Lou Nuzum for photographing them!  Cindy Oravcez from Quilter's Fancy presented a great program, and we loved her beautiful embellished quilts! 

Now, are you all ready to party? I can't wait! See you on Dec. 12 for our Christmas party, and remember that we begin at 6:00 with our carry-in meal. (Special thank you to Mary Mahoney and committee for planning this exciting event!) Sarah will have the sign-up sheets for 2017 committees, so make sure that you each sign up for at least one committee. We will end our party with show and tell! Lastly, I thank the 2016 officers, the committee chairs, and all the guild members for making this quilting year very enjoyable, educational, and filled with fond memories!  I do care about all of you!

And just for the record, " There's no place like home....click, click, click."🙂

❤️ Sally

(Below is the list of challenges so far this year.)

Jan. - theme fabric - token is an elephant bead

Feb. - purple & yellow or purple & green fabric (Mardi Gras) - glass bead token

March (2 challenges) plaid or check fabric - glass bead token; 

         Celtic Theme item for a token that's a Celtic Cross or tree of life charm 

April - Floral fabrics (60% floral - may add other fabrics from stash) - token is a       

             wooden butterfly button or butterfly charm

May- All Neutral fabrics or neutral fabrics plus one color fabric (must be 50% neutral 

          fabrics) - make an item at least 8" square and receive 3 tokens or make a   

          modern quilt for our quilt show challenge with the above fabrics and receive 

          5 tokens. - token is neutral colored chip beads

June - Make an 8" square item or larger. It must be made of 100% patriot   

             fabric or red white and blue fabric, all from your stash. You will receive 2 tokens    

             - a star charm and a red pearl bead 

July - Choose ocean fabric, water fabric, or blue fabric from your stash to make  an 

          item that is at least 8" square.  You may use other fabric from your stash, but this 

          item must be at least 60% ocean fabric, water fabric or blue fabric. A shell bead 

          is the token reward for completing this project.

August - Make an item 12" or bigger & it must be made of 75% batiks or bright fabrics 

           plus any other fabric of your choice, all from your stash. Token - wooden fish 

           button

September-   Use reproduction fabrics (like Civil War fabrics, Downton Abbey, & 30's     

            fabrics) or use brown fabrics - all from your stash. You may add muslin, tan or 

            cream fabrics from your stash to compliment your 12" or larger project, which   

            must be 65% reproduction fabrics or brown fabrics. Token - clay bead 

October - 2 challenges - make a pieced or appliquéd log cabin item that is at least 12" square from your stash - token is a silver pine cone charm; and/ or using flannel from your stash, make a crib size quilt (may be a rag quilt) or larger (must be at least 35" by 45") - token is a wooden snowman button. If you do both challenges, you will get both tokens!

Note: All challenges must made from your stash and be presented during show and tell to receive the token reward, and they must be finished!:)

MEMBERSHIP

63 people attended the meeting in November; 2 guests and 61 members.  We have one new member.  

Please welcome Christina Conn!

1056 Mindy Lane Apt. 804

Wooster, OH 44691

330-347-0840

Don’t forget to get Barb more envelopes for the newsletters of 2017 if you receive your TCQ Newsletter by mail!!    

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2017 OFFICERS

President; Sarah Bistline, Vice President; Kay Nixon

Secretary; Shirley Rodgers, Treasurer; Bev Fash

Members-at-large; Mary Mahoney and Janet McFarland

A LETTER TO THE GUILD

A general letter to the membership of Tree City Quilters’ Guild-

At the recap meeting of the quilt show planning team, we discussed the pros and cons of having a quilt show every year versus our current way of having a show only every other year.  We are asking the guild membership to vote on this at the December meeting so we know which way to proceed.  Please review the following and give it some thought so we can move ahead either way.

One question that was asked at the meeting was “What is the purpose of the quilt show?”  This is a very good question and sometimes we lose sight of why we do what we do.  The purpose of the guild is to create, stimulate, and maintain an interest in all matters pertaining to the making of quilts and establish and promote educational endeavors through quilts. (There is more if you want to look in your bylaws.)  As you consider which way you will vote, please keep the purpose of our guild in mind.

Having the show every other year- 

·         we will either limit the number of quilts guild members may enter, find another venue (larger), or use the gym at the church as additional display area (the gym is farther back into the building).  We can no longer display quilts in the hallway to keep the fire marshal happy.

·         Less work to plan the show but much more work to set up and hang (and the reverse when its over) around 300 quilts

·         Plenty of time to plan, prepare, make quilts

·         Can focus on other quilt guild events such as retreats, classes, etc.

Having the show every year-

·         Less quilts to hang and display.  However, you would have an opportunity to show quilts that may be given as gifts - keeping gift quilts for one year is easier than keeping them for two.

·         Opportunity to make money (the show netted over $2000 without the auction)

·         More of a routine – for guild members, attenders, vendors, etc.  

·         Plenty of room (at the Nazarene Church) to display all quilts

·         More opportunity to network and get to know each other as we “work” the show

·         Concern that it’s too much work - burnout

There are other pros and cons and every individual may have concerns or excitement regarding this decision.  Some other things that were discussed at this meeting in regard to future shows were-

·         Availability of church facility (although once we are booked, they do not bump us out for any reason)

·         Timing of the show – the end of September conflicts with Wayne County Fair, Streetsboro Show, Woosterfest and in 2018 the Ashland guild quilt show.  The committee would select the next date.

·         What about a raffle quilt?  To have one ready for 2017 would be pushing it so maybe for this one year, someone might donate a quilt (or be reimbursed) to use as the raffle quilt.

·         There are a number of things at the quilt show that we feel could be improved.  Almost all comments we have received were positive.  Almost all the vendors would like to return when we have our next show.

·         We have a core group of the committee who are willing to stay on for at least another year.  We would like to see a few new people join us and have some from each year stay on for the next year so the committee would have continuity and fresh ideas every year.

If you have questions or comments you may ask a quilt show planning team member or bring them up during discussion at the December meeting before we vote.  Please keep in mind that we want to keep the business part of the December meeting/Christmas party to a minimum.   As always, you are not required to participate in the show but our hope is that every member would like to

·         join in and share his or her quilts,

·          participate in the show either by planning, working and/or attending

·         Support fellow quilters in this endeavor

Thanks to everyone who participated in our 2016 show.  It was a great success and we look forward to our next show whenever it may be.

This will be discussed and voted on at the December meeting.  Please attend and vote!

TIPS AND TRICKS

The best thing you can do for your machine during this busy season is clean out the bobbin area!  AND, take off the bottom of your machine and clean out the lint that accumulates there, too! 

WORKSHOPS

The Monthly Ongoing Hand Workers workshop will next meet **Friday, December 2, from 9 – 11:50.  Please bring a snack and your handwork.  Prepare for great fun!  Guests are welcome.  Call Sally Kitchen if you have any questions.  Future Dates:  January 6?  (Please check with Sally.)

2017 COMMITTEES

Sarah Bistline has the 2017 committee lists and sign-up sheets ready.  Please sign up to assist your guild on at least ONE committee!!    

DUES

….are now due for 2017.  Shirley will accept payment of your 2017 dues at the meeting.  Please remember to check the membership list and make corrections as necessary.  All dues should be paid by December 31 to be included in the 2017 booklet.  

CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Christmas Party committee has announced that the challenge for this year is a “wrapped present”.  Your decision as to what form you present this challenge!  Also, if you would like to participate in the gift exchange, the limit is $15 and there are no restrictions regarding the gifts.  What you need to bring to the party:

·         Your own beverage

·         A dish to share

·         A wrapped gift if you desire…with your name on the gift

·          Your challenge sewn item (Wrapped Christmas Present)

See you there!  

KITCHEN KORNER

CREAMY CHICKEN MUSHROOM SOUP    

3 tbsp. butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, sliced

1 yellow onion, chopped

3 large carrots, sliced into 1/4" rounds

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

4 c. low-sodium chicken broth

1 c. milk

1 c. basmati or jasmine rice

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

   In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter. Add mushrooms, onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring, until vegetables are tender and liquid has evaporated, 6 minutes. Add chicken and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then add garlic, thyme, and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Add flour and whisk until golden, about 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth and milk and season with salt and pepper. Add rice and bring to a simmer until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.

SLOW-COOKER POTATO CORN CHOWDER

1 - 16oz bag frozen hash browns, thawed

1 chopped onion

8 slices bacon, fried crisp and crumbled

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 can shoe peg corn (undrained)

1 can cream-style corn

1 can roasted garlic flavored chicken broth

1 ½ cups milk  (whole or skim)

Place all ingredients in slow cooker.  Stir gently. Cook on low 6-8 hrs.  Serve with sour cream or shredded cheese.

POPPY SEED CHICKEN

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts,chopped
1 large onion, chopped
8oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced
3T butter
2T Worcestershire sauce
2-3 T poppy seeds
8oz. container sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
½ cup cracker or potato chip crumbs
Preheat over to 350*. Sauté onions and mushrooms in butter and Worcestershire sauce. Combine this with chicken, sour cream, soup and half the poppy seeds. Pour into greased casserole. Sprinkle w/ cracker crumbs and remaining poppy seeds. Bake 30 min. Serve w/ rice or noodles.

ACCUCUT

Please see Becky Hamilton if you wish to use the guild’s AccuCut.  

QUILT SERVICES

Quilting by the Mill, Sarah Bistline 10368 Old Mill Road, Spencer, Ohio 44275; 330-667-2257 or 330-606-6609.  www.quiltingbythemill.com  You need to have your backing 4” longer and wider than your top.  Batting is available.  Do you want to quilt your own top?  Ask me about renting time on the Gamill Premier.  

Spoke N Stitch, Kim Panter; 16780 Burkhart Road, Orrville, Ohio 44667.  I am willing to pick up and deliver in the Wayne/Holmes area. Phone number; 330-682-0711 (home) and 330-601-6096 (cell) I have my cell with me all the time. Please give me a call! 

barb’s Bobbin Box Sewing; Barb Byler; 239 Jane Drive, Smithville, Ohio 44677.  I design and sew your t-shirts (sweatshirts, button-downs, etc.) into quilts.  Photographs can also be added.  baquilter33@aol.com or 

330-988-0992

Tree City Quilters’ Guild; Officers 2016

President: Sally Kitchen          Vice President; Sarah Bistline

Secretary; Shirley Rodgers    Treasurer; Dot Anderson

Members at Large; Vicky Hartzler and Kathy Ott

FOR SALE: Brother PR-620 (6) needle embroidery machine

Jim Rawdon is selling his embroidery machine.  It has been overhauled recently and in good shape. It comes with the factory stand, PE Design Plus software a couple of hoops and about $150 - $200 worth of thread. I am asking $4500 but will negotiate. It will make a good addition to your quilting and makes beautiful cloths for the grandkids. Also a wonderful Christmas present. Jim:  330-472-0473, jdrawdon@att.nett     (Picture is sideways!)

Sally Welcomed visitors and members to Santa's work shop. Sally thanked the refreshment committee and the October program presenters. Happy Birthday was sung to members having November birthdays. The 11th Stop in Stash Busting Travels Santa's Workshop "A Quilters Dream" this is the easiest challenge. Make anything any size From Christmas fabric, if you use the Christmas fabric given to you at the Meeting you'll receive 2 tokens a Christmas stocking and a gold bead.  Members accepted the minutes and the treasure report was accepted by Dorri and 2nd by Kevin and Kim.  Mary Lou gave info on her wool appliqué class she is teaching on November 19 Please let her know which design you want cost is $20.  Mary Mahoney reviewed the Christmas party plans a wrapped gift as the Challenge made from fabric and a $15 gift exchange for those who wish To do so.  Ruth reminded members who were making quilts for the first boy or girl born  In 2017 to bring them to the December meeting. Twelve quilts were given by Members for the community projects to be given out to local organizations.
Kim gave info on the Caribbean challenge due In February using 5 1/2 yard fabrics to make a quilt using 3 shapes
Denise Mohler passed out ballots to vote for Quilter of the Year to be Announced at the Christmas Party.
Bev Fash passed out ballots to vote for officers for 2017. President Sarah Bistline, VP Kay Nixon, Treasurer Bev Fash, Secretary Shirley Rodgers, Members at Large Mary Mahoney and Janet McFarland.  The 2017 sign up sheets are on the table please sign up for at least one thing.  The dues are $20 and need to be paid by December 31, so your info can be Put in the membership book.  Jeri and Mary Lou announced show and tell for members who won viewers  Choice for their quilts and displayed them at the meeting.  Kay sent cards to Dot.  At the December meeting members will vote on whether to have the quilt show
Yearly or every other year. So be thinking about that.  Cindy Oravcez from Quilter's Fancy in Cortland gave a program on "Dimensional Embroidery on Quilts very nice problem and had products to sell  Show and Tell was 1st with Tonya and members who took her Hunter Star class,  then everyone showed there quilts and challenges
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and your families
See you December 12 at 6:00 for the Christmas Party cover dish